Disflay stand for belting and like material



Feb. 5, 1924. 1,482,748

J. G. JOHNSTON, JR i DISPLAY STAND FOR BELTING AND LIKE MATERIAL FiledApril 8,1921

' fizz/12757? J'ames Qfi/MJZZZLJ/T Patented Feb. 5, 1924.

entree stares JAMES G. JOHNSTON, 33., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNO'R TOWARREN FEATHER: v

BONE COMPANY, OF THREE OAKS, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OEMIOHIGAN.

nrs'rLAY srenn non snnrrne AND LIKE MATERIAL.

. Application filed April 8, 1921. Serial No. 459,579.'

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J Arms G JOHNSTON,

Jr., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in thecounty of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certainnew and usefulImprovements in Display Stands for Belting and like Material, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in display stands for certainkinds of dry goods, such as belting or like materials, ordinarilyretailed in yard lengths, multiples or fractions thereof. The type ofstand embodyingthe novel features of construction is one designed to beplaced upon a counter, and to hold a number of bolts of the materialinthe various widths, quality or color. Theseveral bolts are wound onrotative spindles, from which the desired lengths of the material areunwound and severed as the sales are made- As the bolts are disposed of,new ones are placed upon the spindles.

The difliculties ordinarily experienced in the use of these stands, andparticularly of freely rotative and removable spindles are, first, theundesired unwinding of the bolts of material, caused by the weight ofthe depending free end thereof; and second, the loss of spindles due tothe thoughtlessness of sales persons in discarding the empty spindleswhen a bolt is exhausted, under the erroneous belief that a spindleaccompanies each bolt of material. This being not usually the case, thespindles are being constantly lost, and as a result, demands on themanufacturer for new spindles are continual.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, yet effectiveexpedient which will eliminate the objections mentioned, by providing acombined friction brake acting on the spindle, and a flexible connectionbetween the spindle and the stand. The function and mode of operation ofthe device will hereinafter be more fully disclosed in connection withthe accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a view in frontelevation of the complete stand,

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in front ele vation of a single spindleunit, showing the improved construction,

Figure 3 is a detailed view in vertical section taken on line 33 ofFigure 2, and

Figure 4 is a detailed view in vertical pins.

section of the drum taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

The stand is an open structure preferably made of wood, and consistingof a base 1,

upon which is erected a vertical frame made of a plurality of'paralleluprights 2, and a horizontal top member 3. The uprights are spaced apartat various distances, thereby forming a series ofcompartments for different widths of the material. In each compertinent are mounted one ormore rotative spindles 4, there being illustrated two of such spindles,one above the other.

Considering one of the spindles, and an adjacent portion of eachcompartment consisting of two upright 2-2, Figures 2' and 3, the spindlef consistsof an elongated block tapering to an edge at its ends, andprovided with journal pins 55 arranged to coincide with the minor orhorizontal axis of the block. In the lateral faces-of the uprights arecut L-shapedslots 6'-6, ex-

tending inwardly and downwardly from the forward edge thereof, the lowerextremities forming Ushaped bearings for the journal As thusconstructed, it is manifest that the spindles are made to rotate freelywithin the bearing slots, and are capable of being readily removedtherefrom. This freedom of rotative movement and bodily removal is,however, limited by the addition of the following parts: Mounted upon,or forming part of one of the journal pins 5 of each spindle, is a drum7 consisting of a central. portion 5 included between flanges 9 9 ofslig tly greater diameter. The central portion 8 of the drum is formedwith two diametrically opposed flattened surfaces 8 Figure 4. thedistance between them being less thanthe normal diameter of said centralportion. Surrounding the drum 7 and engaging the central portion 8thereof, is a yieldable member 10. consisting of two spring arms 1U"-1O"fitting snugly around the drum, and overlapping each other at their freeends. The opposite ends of the arms are united in a coil 10 whereby thedesired degree of tension is introduced into the member 10. Connectingthe yieldable member 10 with thefralne, and directly with the adjacentupright 52, is a flexible chain preferably made up of several long links11 joined together in the usual manner, the connected end being fastenedto. the upright in any suitable manner, and preferably at a point nearthe front edge and a short distance'fbelow the bearing slots of thejournal pins as at 12. The type of chain shown is preferred to one madeof shorter links, and

therefore more flexible. The reason is, that there is less tendencyforthe' less flexible links becoming twisted and shortened in theremoving and replacing the spindle in the act of renewing the bolts ofmaterial.

The yieldable member 10 acts as a brake in the sense that it'exertssufficient tension on the drum to prevent the weight of the un- Woundend portion of a-bolt from rotating the spindle. The braking action isintermittent rather than constant; that is, a frictional resistance isoffered to the rotation of the spindle-by the spring arms, during aportion' of each revolution thereof, this being ample to prevent theunwinding of the ma teriah, Furthermore, the yifieldable member and theseveral links 11 prevent the'spindle being completely detached from thestand, altho it does permit its removal for the purpose of inserting anew bolt of material upon thespindle.

Having described the structure embodying the invention, I claim 1. In adevice of the character described, the combination of a frame, a spindlejournalled in said frame and capable of removal therefrom, and ayieldable [member surrounding aigrooved portion of said spindle,

and connected with said frame, thereby acting to exert frictionalresistance to the free rotation of said spindle, and for connecting thesame to said frame.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a framecomprising hori Zontally spaced uprights, a spindle journalledin slotsformed in said uprights, a yieldable member comprising spring armssurrounding an annular portion of said spindle, and flexibly connectedwith said frame.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, aspindle rotatively journalled in said frame, and com prising a drumaxially disposed, and'a yield able member comprising spring armsencircling said drum, and adapted to exert an intermittently appliedfrictional resistance to the free rotation of said spindle.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, aspindle" rotatively'jour-nalled in said frame, and corn prising anaxially disposed drum having aflattened surface, a brake membercomprising spring arms encircling saiddrum, and adapted to exert anintermittentlyapplied frictional resistance to the free rotation of saidspindle, and a plurality oflinks connecting said brake member to saidframe.

In witness whereof,- I hereunto subscribe my name this 2nd day of April,A. 1)., 1921.

' JAMES G. JQH'NSTQN, JR:

